The struggle for political power in our nation and communities seems to be more visible than ever before. Maybe it is because this is an election year.

Earlier this month, my voice mail box at home was filled with messages from candidates and for initiatives and causes: Take back the house. Stay the course. It's time for a change. Protect the environment. Rebuild our schools. There seems to be a constant sloganeering at work, especially on the national stage. Both parties wait for the other to show a strategy, then the other finds its weakness and attacks.

In the midst of this we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. In today's Gospel reading Jesus announces, "My kingdom does not belong to this world." We are called to follow Jesus Christ, a king who does not jockey for power or attack his opponents. We belong to an invisible kingdom that operates on its own terms --- where weakness is strength, humility is power, and the real heroes are servants.

Our King, of course, is invisible too. He is not leaving telephone messages with instruction on how to vote or what to think. He is not filling our mail boxes with advertisements and fliers. If we see him at all, we see in the face of a stranger in need, or in the presence of someone asking for a cup of water. He does not announce his presence. He expects us to recognize him.

Our king is not like the rulers of this world in any way. He does not act based on polls and predictions. He makes no attempt to shape or manipulate public opinion. He simply challenges us to turn our lives around and dedicate ourselves to love, compassion, generosity and forgiveness. The message has not changed in 2,000 years.

Christ the King calls us to live in an invisible kingdom, and to serve an invisible ruler. It is not easy. It is not always obvious how we are to be faithful. We are called not just to follow rules and obey laws, but to be faithful to a person, to obey his living word.

The visible world does not think much of our King. He did not covet power or prestige but rejected both. He did not seek out the rich and the famous. He did little to advance his platform. Finally, he died a humiliating death.

Why would anyone follow this leader? Only if they have been transformed by his words, and felt his eternal presence. When that happens, we know we have found something that no government or political party can offer.

It is possible to treat the kingdom of God as if it were like an earthly kingdom --- to see power for its own sake, and to try and legislate our way to God. But we are to be faithful to a person, not a party or a system. To do so, we need to continue to watch and listen. Otherwise, we risk being obedient but not faithful.

Bill Peatman writes from Napa.